Contemporary Jewelry
Contemporary jewelry is inextricably linked with the moment in which it is created, frequently reflecting current social, cultural and political issues such as environmental consciousness, identity and sustainability. It’s informed by fashion trends, from the chokers of the 1990s to the large chain necklaces of the early 2000s.
Jewelry is one of the oldest forms of adornment. Lockets made of silver or gold have been treasured gifts for hundreds of years, for example, and charm bracelets, which have existed since prehistoric times, didn’t become especially popular until the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria. For many centuries, fine jewelry was used primarily to express wealth or status through lavish materials. Then, in the 1960s, a concept known as the “critique of preciousness” emerged, with jewelers creating pieces that did not get their value from gemstones or precious metals. Instead, it was the jeweler’s artistic vision that was prized and elevated.
This shift still informs Contemporary jewelry being made by artists today. Whether they are using cheap, found materials and working with provocative geometric shapes or seeking out the rarest stones, they are imbuing their work with meaning through their skills, techniques and ideas. Innovative designers such as Elsa Peretti, who popularized sculptural sterling-silver jewelry for Tiffany & Co., and David Yurman, who twisted metal into the simple yet striking Cable bracelet, have also influenced the direction of Contemporary jewelry’s forms and aesthetics.
Meanwhile, technological advancements like metal alloys and laser engraving have led to new possibilities in jewelry design. Now, edgy makers and brands as well as minimalist designers are pushing Contemporary jewelry forward into the 21st century.
Find a collection of Contemporary rings, earrings, necklaces and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 10k Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 10k Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Quartz, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, Malachite, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Gold Plate, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Rhodolite
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Topaz, Kyanite, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
1990s European Contemporary Jewelry
Base Metal
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Stainless Steel
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Zircon, Zircon, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Garnet, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Chinese Contemporary Jewelry
Jade
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Lebanese Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Alexandrite, Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Purple Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sa...
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Garnet, White Diamond, Diamond, Citrine...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
10k Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, Silver Plate
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Contemporary Jewelry
Amber, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver